Chapter 383: Outbreak

In the Realm of Kings, the spacetimes of all nations are completely severed, with no borders of lower civilizations.

Only high-level chaotic beings can use the River of Spacetime to enter a nation through certain spacetime nodes, and the locations of these nodes shift as spacetime flows.

A spacetime fortress, however, can lock and solidify a specific spacetime node.

Though constructing a spacetime fortress carries a heavy cost, it can fix the node’s position and enable more effective defense.

Enemies must break through the fortress’s garrison to enter the nation!

This function is similar to that of fortresses in barbaric civilizations.

“Build a spacetime fortress on Star Refinement Holy Star? So early?” Lin Qing raised an eyebrow slightly.

Among all the future lines he had observed, this possibility was extremely low, since spacetime nodes constantly shifted and appeared on Star Refinement Province only briefly.

In the futures he had previously observed, the Icebound Empire built its spacetime fortresses tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years later.

“In roughly three hundred and fifty-seven years, one of our Icebound Empire’s spacetime nodes will drift here due to spacetime flow.”

The Master of Tianji Palace said: “This location is near Star Refinement Holy Star, making it suitable—and one of the best places to rapidly construct a spacetime fortress.”

As she spoke, she turned to the Marquis of Star Refinement and said: “All losses suffered by Star Refinement Holy Star in this war shall be borne by the Empire; your kin may receive one hundred thousand relocation slots to the Imperial Star.”

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Star Refinement was both shocked and delighted, and immediately bowed respectfully: “I pledge everything for the victory of our Icebound Empire!”

A spacetime fortress must draw chaotic energy from the Infinite Chaos; the most convenient method is to build it on a Holy Star, though this may cause the Holy Star to shatter and be destroyed.

Yet the Empire was willing to bear the losses and granted him one hundred thousand slots to the Imperial Star—this was an immense favor!

The Imperial Star was the supreme celestial body granted by the Realm of Kings to ultimate beings, and the safest place in the Divine Nation War—even if ultimate beings could not act within the Realm of Kings, the Imperial Star’s unique nature made it nearly impossible to breach.

There were so few residence slots on the Imperial Star; yet the Empire was willing to give him one hundred thousand as compensation?

The Marquis of Star Refinement glanced at Lin Qing and instantly understood: this was surely due to Lin Qing’s influence.

“Mr. Lin Qing.”

The Master of Tianji Palace looked at Lin Qing and smiled: “Shuanqing Sacred Master foresaw the future: in a few hundred years, when the spacetime node drifts here, the Changyuan Empire will launch a massive army to attack Star Refinement Holy Star, with three Eternal Peak experts joining forces. At that time… Mr. Lin Qing may be captured.”

“Three Eternal Peak experts?” Lin Qing nodded slightly.

If he had not broken through, following the original future trajectory, such a possibility indeed existed.

But he had broken through as an Anti-Entropy Being; even the Light King could not see this future line, and his aura was concealed by the Light King’s Seal—no one present knew he had broken through, nor had he fought since, so he had not yet altered the future’s course.

The rank of an Anti-Entropy Being is so high that even the Light King cannot see futures influenced by one—how could this Shuanqing Sacred Master possibly see it?

The so-called "Holy Master" is in fact an eternal being who cultivates the laws of the future.

The “Great Seer,” who has achieved partial mastery of the Future Rule, already holds an exalted status, far fewer in number than Eternal Beings.

Shuanqing Sacred Master is the only Eternal Being in the Icebound Empire who wields the Future Rule!

Even the Ice Emperor and the Jade String Emperor, both Ultimate Beings, treat this Shuanqing Sacred Master with great deference.

“Yet the predictions of Shuanqing Sacred Master are not necessarily certain to occur.”

The Master of Tianji Palace said: “The Ice Emperor’s methods are beyond even the Changyuan Empire’s Sacred Masters’ foresight. So Mr. Lin Qing need not worry too much—just as with Mr. Lin Qing’s avatar.”

Lin Qing understood her meaning.

In Divine Nation Wars, each nation’s Sacred Masters predict the war’s course, yet they cannot fully rely on them, because when ultimate beings of high rank are involved, even Sacred Masters cannot perceive their existence!

This is equivalent to a variable in war.

Sometimes… a single simple move by an ultimate being can completely reverse the course of the war!

“Mr. Lin Qing has indeed surpassed my expectations.”

The handsome, white-haired man seated at the leftmost seat spoke softly, with utmost courtesy: “I’ve long heard Mr. Lin Qing mastered the Illusory World Annihilation and used an Eternal Treasure to suppress the Xiongying Marquis, but I never foresaw Mr. Lin Qing possessing a mind-type chaotic being—truly remarkable.”

Many Eternal Beings in the hall were startled.

This Shuanqing Sacred Master held such status that even the Ice Emperor and Jade String Emperor treated him as an honored guest, never displaying any imperial arrogance.

Thus, Shuanqing Sacred Master was extremely proud, treating these Eternal Beings with cold solemnity, offering them no chance to flatter him—only the Master of Tianji Palace received slightly warmer treatment.

Yet Shuanqing Sacred Master was so courteous and respectful toward Lin Qing?

The Master of Tianji Palace was not at all surprised.

She knew Shuanqing Sacred Master had spent trillions of years to achieve Eternity, while how long had Lin Qing cultivated?

From his aura, he seemed to have reached the peak of high-level chaotic beings—clearly all three mysteries were perfected, leaving only one step to attain Eternity!

The Future Rule is universally acknowledged as exceedingly difficult; Lin Qing’s terrifying cultivation speed would earn awe and reverence from all who practice it—this alone was enough to win Shuanqing Sacred Master’s favor.

Not to mention… Shuanqing Sacred Master had once received guidance and trials from the Light King, but failed to pass and was never accepted as a disciple.

“I salute you, Marquis Shuanqing.”

Lin Qing shook his head slightly: “My avatar is merely luck—I was fortunate to receive it from a great power. That you, Marquis Shuanqing, could not perceive it is natural; it is not my own achievement.”

“Once the spacetime fortress is complete, Mr. Lin Qing need not worry,” the Master of Tianji Palace smiled gently. “Under the protection of Tianji Palace, with the Holy Star and the fortress’s geographical advantage, even three Eternal Peak experts leading an army could not breach the fortress.”

Lin Qing nodded, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes.

So this was his master’s plan?

Though he pretended to be unbroken to lure enemies in, the fish might bite the bait, snap the rod, and escape—but with the Marquis of Star Refinement as the rod alone, he could not catch a big fish.

Thus, the Ice Emperor sent Tianji Palace as the rod.

Now, the enemy must deploy greater and stronger forces.

Only then could they be netted more easily.

“Mr. Lin Qing, you shall reside in my ‘Jishen Palace’ from now on.”

The Master of Tianji Palace smiled: “This Jishen Palace is formed from my life-bound Eternal Treasure, long cultivated to its Eternal peak—capable of protecting you at any moment.”

“Then I am at ease,” Lin Qing nodded slightly.

He felt a quiet anticipation—what beings would the enemy send?

Ultimate beings cannot act within the Realm of Kings, and Dukes are all watched; thus, only Eternal Peak experts can move.

…